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Preparing your Honda Grom for the Season

Updated on September 7, 2014

The riding season in northeast Ohio is from late April until late October. This means that your motorcycle has to hibernate for six months. It is very important to prepare you motorcycle after its long winter slumber.

Step 1 Give your Honda Grom a good wash

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I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo to wash my motorcycles.I then use a soft chamois to thoroughly dry the bike.
I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo to wash my motorcycles.
I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo to wash my motorcycles.
I then use a soft chamois to thoroughly dry the bike.
I then use a soft chamois to thoroughly dry the bike.
Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels - 3 Pack
Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels - 3 Pack
I use these chamois to to dry and wax my Grom.
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Step 2 Drain the Engine Oil

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My Grom only had 30 miles on it when it went into hibernation. Cracking the engine case to clean the spinner and debris screen is not yet necessary.The oil filter bolt is located on the bottom of the engine nearest to the exhaust. Place an oil pan directly under the bolt to catch the draining oil.A friend of mine taught me a trick of placing black iron gas pipe over the handle of the ratchet to convert it into a make shift breaker bar.Let the oil drain into the pan. Move the Grom to an upright position until the remaining oil trickles out.Make sure you do not loose the crush washer. This forms an oil tight seal between the bolt and the engine block.
My Grom only had 30 miles on it when it went into hibernation. Cracking the engine case to clean the spinner and debris screen is not yet necessary.
My Grom only had 30 miles on it when it went into hibernation. Cracking the engine case to clean the spinner and debris screen is not yet necessary.
The oil filter bolt is located on the bottom of the engine nearest to the exhaust. Place an oil pan directly under the bolt to catch the draining oil.
The oil filter bolt is located on the bottom of the engine nearest to the exhaust. Place an oil pan directly under the bolt to catch the draining oil.
A friend of mine taught me a trick of placing black iron gas pipe over the handle of the ratchet to convert it into a make shift breaker bar.
A friend of mine taught me a trick of placing black iron gas pipe over the handle of the ratchet to convert it into a make shift breaker bar.
Let the oil drain into the pan. Move the Grom to an upright position until the remaining oil trickles out.
Let the oil drain into the pan. Move the Grom to an upright position until the remaining oil trickles out.
Make sure you do not loose the crush washer. This forms an oil tight seal between the bolt and the engine block.
Make sure you do not loose the crush washer. This forms an oil tight seal between the bolt and the engine block.

Step 3 Install Drain Bolt

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Hand tighten the drain bolt then torque to 18ft-lb.Drain the oil into an appropriate container. I use an empty kitty litter container to store the old oil until I recycle it.
Hand tighten the drain bolt then torque to 18ft-lb.
Hand tighten the drain bolt then torque to 18ft-lb.
Drain the oil into an appropriate container. I use an empty kitty litter container to store the old oil until I recycle it.
Drain the oil into an appropriate container. I use an empty kitty litter container to store the old oil until I recycle it.

Step 4 Refill Engine Oil

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Unscrew the dipstickFill with 10W30 motor oil, a little at a time. Remember the Grom only requires 1.0 US Quart of motor oil. Check oil level periodically during refill.Place Grom in upright position, insert dipstick until it seats then withdrawal. Oil should be between upper and lower level marks.
Unscrew the dipstick
Unscrew the dipstick
Fill with 10W30 motor oil, a little at a time. Remember the Grom only requires 1.0 US Quart of motor oil. Check oil level periodically during refill.
Fill with 10W30 motor oil, a little at a time. Remember the Grom only requires 1.0 US Quart of motor oil. Check oil level periodically during refill.
Place Grom in upright position, insert dipstick until it seats then withdrawal. Oil should be between upper and lower level marks.
Place Grom in upright position, insert dipstick until it seats then withdrawal. Oil should be between upper and lower level marks.
Valvoline Daily Protection SAE 10W-30 ConventionalMotor Oil 5 QT
Valvoline Daily Protection SAE 10W-30 ConventionalMotor Oil 5 QT
This is the motor oil I refilled my Grom with.
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Step 5 Install the Battery

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I keep my Grom battery in our nice warm basement over the winter. I recharge the battery on a weekly basis using my Battery Tender.The battery compartment is under the seat on the Grom. You use the key to open the compartment under the seat.Push the seat forward and pull the seat up once the seat is unlocked with the key.Here is a picture of the empty battery compartment.The battery is actually mounted on its side in the battery compartment.Attach the battery cables to the proper terminals of the battery. Use a ratchet to secure the metal battery strap in place.I insert the key into ignition and turn to the ON position to make sure the battery is working.Finally, I re-install the seat by pushing forward then down.
I keep my Grom battery in our nice warm basement over the winter. I recharge the battery on a weekly basis using my Battery Tender.
I keep my Grom battery in our nice warm basement over the winter. I recharge the battery on a weekly basis using my Battery Tender.
The battery compartment is under the seat on the Grom. You use the key to open the compartment under the seat.
The battery compartment is under the seat on the Grom. You use the key to open the compartment under the seat.
Push the seat forward and pull the seat up once the seat is unlocked with the key.
Push the seat forward and pull the seat up once the seat is unlocked with the key.
Here is a picture of the empty battery compartment.
Here is a picture of the empty battery compartment.
The battery is actually mounted on its side in the battery compartment.
The battery is actually mounted on its side in the battery compartment.
Attach the battery cables to the proper terminals of the battery. Use a ratchet to secure the metal battery strap in place.
Attach the battery cables to the proper terminals of the battery. Use a ratchet to secure the metal battery strap in place.
I insert the key into ignition and turn to the ON position to make sure the battery is working.
I insert the key into ignition and turn to the ON position to make sure the battery is working.
Finally, I re-install the seat by pushing forward then down.
Finally, I re-install the seat by pushing forward then down.

Step 6 Check Tire Pressure

It is important to keep the tires at the specified tire pressure. Do not over inflate the tires! Tire pressure is specified on rear swing arm sticker.
It is important to keep the tires at the specified tire pressure. Do not over inflate the tires! Tire pressure is specified on rear swing arm sticker.

Step 7 Clean the Crankcase Breather

Remove the crankcase breather tube, drain the oily contents into the container with the rest of the old oil, then re-install.
Remove the crankcase breather tube, drain the oily contents into the container with the rest of the old oil, then re-install.

Step 8 Check Brake Fluid Levels

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Front Brake Fluid Reservoir is located on right handle bar. Check when Grom is upright, it should be above the LWR mark.Rear Brake Fluid Reservoir is located next to rear shock. Check when Grom is upright, it should be between Lower and Upper mark.
Front Brake Fluid Reservoir is located on right handle bar. Check when Grom is upright, it should be above the LWR mark.
Front Brake Fluid Reservoir is located on right handle bar. Check when Grom is upright, it should be above the LWR mark.
Rear Brake Fluid Reservoir is located next to rear shock. Check when Grom is upright, it should be between Lower and Upper mark.
Rear Brake Fluid Reservoir is located next to rear shock. Check when Grom is upright, it should be between Lower and Upper mark.

Step 9 Check Lighting

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Turn the ignition switch to the On position but do not start Grom. Side marker lights should illuminate but not headlight. Check front turn signals.Rear taillight marker should illuminate. Turn signals on the back do not have marker filaments.Check left rear turn signal.Check right rear turn signal.I put a rubber band around brake lever, this applies just enough pressure to actuate the rear brake light.Rear brake light illuminated.Remove rubber band from front brake lever. Use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever. The rear brake light should illuminate.You can just see the rear brake light illuminated from the side when you use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever.
Turn the ignition switch to the On position but do not start Grom. Side marker lights should illuminate but not headlight. Check front turn signals.
Turn the ignition switch to the On position but do not start Grom. Side marker lights should illuminate but not headlight. Check front turn signals.
Rear taillight marker should illuminate. Turn signals on the back do not have marker filaments.
Rear taillight marker should illuminate. Turn signals on the back do not have marker filaments.
Check left rear turn signal.
Check left rear turn signal.
Check right rear turn signal.
Check right rear turn signal.
I put a rubber band around brake lever, this applies just enough pressure to actuate the rear brake light.
I put a rubber band around brake lever, this applies just enough pressure to actuate the rear brake light.
Rear brake light illuminated.
Rear brake light illuminated.
Remove rubber band from front brake lever. Use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever. The rear brake light should illuminate.
Remove rubber band from front brake lever. Use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever. The rear brake light should illuminate.
You can just see the rear brake light illuminated from the side when you use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever.
You can just see the rear brake light illuminated from the side when you use your foot to actuate the rear brake lever.

Step 10 Check Clutch Lever Freeplay

Check Clutch Lever freeplay, It should travel 1/2 inch before engaging the clutch.
Check Clutch Lever freeplay, It should travel 1/2 inch before engaging the clutch.

Step 11 Wax Grom

I uses Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax with a clean chamois on the painted and plastic surfaces.
I uses Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax with a clean chamois on the painted and plastic surfaces.
Meguiar's G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax, 15.2 Fluid Ounces
Meguiar's G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax, 15.2 Fluid Ounces
I use this Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax on all painted and plastic surfaces of my Grom.
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Step 12 Clean Lenses

I use Meguiar's Quik Glass Cleaner with a clean chamois on the headlight, front and rear turns signal lenses, mirrors, and instrument panel lens.
I use Meguiar's Quik Glass Cleaner with a clean chamois on the headlight, front and rear turns signal lenses, mirrors, and instrument panel lens.
Meguiar's Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner, Auto Window Cleaner - 24 oz.
Meguiar's Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner, Auto Window Cleaner - 24 oz.
I use Meguiar's Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner on the clear plastic lenses on my Grom.
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Step 13 Cover Grom when not in use

I only drive my Grom on the weekend for recreational purposes. I use a indoor dust cover to keep my bike clean when not in use.
I only drive my Grom on the weekend for recreational purposes. I use a indoor dust cover to keep my bike clean when not in use.

Conclusion

You can keep your Honda Grom running in tip-top shape and looking good each season by following my 13 simple steps in this lens.

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